The Incredible Power of Plants as Living Art
“I think that I shall never see… a poem lovely as a tree.”
Is it possible that the original and highest form of art is so close and familiar to us, that we’ve become blind its beauty?
When God created man, He gave us many ways of knowing Him through the beauty of our surroundings… the incredible canvas we call “sky”, the starry cosmos at night, and the beauty of nature… which owes its beauty, in large part, to plants.
Gemäldegalerie, Berlin, Germany
“and the Lord God made all kinds of trees…that were ‘pleasing to the eye‘…”
– Genesis 2:9
So, in a sense, plants are the original (or native) art form of our planet. After all, in what beautiful place did God choose to place Adam and Eve? In the Desert of Eden? In the Arctic of Eden? No… in the Garden of Eden!
“Only God can make a tree.”
Perhaps that is why we instinctively identify plants as being ‘beautiful’… and they have been shown to have a plethora of positive effects on us. Research has shown time and again that everything from our well-being to our productivity increases when plants are in our midst.
Nothing Can Do What Live Plants Can Do
So, if plants are inherently beautiful and comforting to us just in their natural state… imagine their power when fully utilized as a living art form. To illustrate this point, consider this… If something as exquisitely beautiful as the Mona Lisa could be created from a gooey sticky medium called “paint” that has little to no inherent beauty… imagine the possibilities when the medium of our creation possesses such inherent beauty as plants?
Plants Embody Our Idea of Beauty
As mentioned previously, we instinctively identify with the beauty of nature … and much of that beauty is attributable to the seemingly endless diversity of plants that inhabit our planet. In fact, plants actually embody mankind’s collective idea of “beauty”… and have, in essence, taught us the true meaning of beauty and all of its composite elements: color, texture, depth, and form.
Plants Define Vibrant Color
Where did man get his idea of ‘colors’? From nature!… more specifically, largely from plants. Yes, plants define the very essence of what ‘light pink’ or ‘vibrant red’ or ‘soft violet’ means to us. When an artist spreads a blob of vibrant red paint on his canvas, what is it that he is imitating? — A red poppy, a red rose, a red carnation, a red maple. Why not use the original (the plant) as the source of color on our canvas!
Plants Provide Texture and Depth
As beautiful as a painting or photograph may be, there is only so much texture and depth that it can convey, being a two-dimensional medium. Not so with plants. The incredible palette of textures is virtually unlimited when using plants as the artistic medium.
And because plants are a three-dimensional medium, the depth they convey is real depth… not just perceived depth on a flat piece of canvas.
Plants Exhibit Exquisite Form
“Only God can make a tree.”
Never has function taken on such an exquisite form as we find in the plant kingdom. From frolicking fanciful ferns and delicate lacey leaves, to sharp angular spines and gorgeous graceful curves… the variety, breadth, and depth of form we get from plants is unmatched in the world of art.
Make a Statement with Living Art Plants
So next time you’re considering how to create an air of elegance in your establishment, remember that living plants are the highest form of art.
Schedule your free Ambiance Assessment today and learn how live, thriving plants properly placed, can create an atmosphere of refined beauty and ambiance.
